“We see a lot of installed CHP systems in operating microgrids; it’s the largest technology in terms of capacity,” said David Jones, ICF’s manager and analyst for CHP/DER/microgrid markets and applications. “We were surprised to not see as much CHP in the planned microgrids.”

Cost might be a factor, said Jones. It’s possible those who are developing microgrid projects think CHP is too expensive to incorporate.

CHP is a resource that ICF carefully follows — it has been updating the Department of Energy’s CHP Installation Database for over a decade.

The shift to solar is occuring despite the efficiency CHP affords. Used for more than a century, CHP uses the heat byproduct created during the generation of electricity. Its used to warm buildings, create cooling, produce steam or serve other processes that require thermal energy. In contrast, conventional generators waste the byproduct, letting it waft into the air or water.

In all, the database identifies about 400 MW of planned solar PV, compared with about 200 MW of CHP for microgrid projects. However, because CHP operates 24 hours a day, it dominates based on operating capacity, Jones noted.

Community model rising fastest

ICF created the microgrid database because of the industry’s’ growth.

“Microgrids have really started to gain momentum,” he said.

The consulating firm identified 211 operational microgrids in the US that yield 3.85 GW of capacity and 104 in planning that could produce 1.55 GW of capacity, when installed. Most — both operational and planned — can be found in the Northeast, with a large number also planned for California, Hawaii and Alaska.

The database also found that community microgrids represent the fastest growing type of ownership model. That’s partially due to the NY Prize and other state incentives, including those offered by Massachusetts, New Jersey and Connecticut.

“The community microgrids have more planned capacity compared to any of the other ownership types,” said Jones.

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Utilities getting into the game

ICF also found more projects now being planned and developed by end users, as opposed to utilities. However, that’s starting to change.

“We’re seeing a lot more microgrids in the planning process owned by utilities or having mixed ownership with their utility and third parties,” said Jones. “It’s because utilities are starting to realize the benefits microgrids can provide to the grid.”

In addition, utilities don’t want to lose their customers, he said. Installing microgrids helps utilities keep customers that might otherwise defect in favor of installing their own systems.

“Utilities can offer reliability with local microgrids and keep customers and continue to serve them,” he said.

Storms and microgrids

The need for energy resiliency and reliability drives microgrid growth more than any other factor, according to Jones.

“One of the big draws of microgrids is they are able to produce their own power during an outage, and we expect that to grow,” he said.

Extreme weather in the Northeast, plus incentives, have prompted the additions, Jones said. On the West Coast, renewable energy policy has led to more planned microgrids in California.

Given the recent hurricanes, Jones sees the need for energy resiliency driving microgrid growth, with state and federal governments offering more incentives for microgrids at critical facilities.

Industry Perspectives

Ameresco’s vice president of microgrid services, Will Agate, describes the process of getting started on your microgrid project — the very first step of which is to carefully consider and define the needs of your organization and its community.

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